Sub-Committee on Flag State Implementation (FSI), 17th session: 20-24 April 2009
Guide to Good Practice on Port Reception Facilities agreed
The guide was developed by the FSI Correspondence Group on the Action Plan for Tackling the Inadequacy of Port Reception Facilities, as part of the Sub-Committee's plan to improve reception facilities worldwide. It will be submitted to the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) for approval, with a view to it being published as an MEPC circular and distributed widely.
The Guide is based on the requirements established in MARPOL and the guidance provided in the Organization's Comprehensive Manual on Port Reception Facilities (1999) and the Guidelines for Ensuring the Adequacy of Port Waste Reception Facilities (Resolution MEPC.83(44)).
The Sub-Committee also reviewed data submitted to the Port Reception Facility Database (PRFD), a module of the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). The total number of reports of alleged inadequacies on the PRFD module comprised 101 cases of alleged inadequacies; including 23 cases reported in 2008 by eight flag States, 50 in 2007 by nine flag States, 19 in 2006 by four flag States, and nine in 2005 by four flag States.
Member States, that have not already done so, were encouraged to populate GISIS with records of reception facilities in their ports and with their contact points and to provide information on any alleged inadequacies.
Guidelines for MARPOL Annex VI PSC agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed draft revised Guidelines for PSC under the revised MARPOL Annex VI, for submission to the MEPC for approval.
The guidelines take into account the new and amended provisions in the revised Annex VI Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships, which were adopted in 2008 and are expected to enter into force in 2010.
Amendments to HSSC Survey Guidelines agreed
The Sub-Committee agreed draft amendments to the survey guidelines under the Harmonized system of Survey and Certification (HSSC 2007, resolution A.997(25)), for submission to the MEPC and Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for approval prior to submission to the 26th IMO Assembly at the end of the year. The HSSC guidelines are routinely updated, to take into account revised guidelines, amendments to regulations and new regulations adopted.
The Sub Committee also agreed a draft MSC MEPC circular giving general guidance on the timing of replacement of existing certificates,, for submission to MSC 86 and MEPC 59 for approval.
Guidance for FPSOs and FSUs agreed
A draft MSC-MEPC circular on Guidance for the application of safety, security and environmental protection provisions to Floating Production Storage and Offloading Facilities (FPSOs) and Floating Storage Units (FSUs) was agreed, for submission to the MEPC and MSC for approval. The circular provides guidance to Member States to assist them in developing regulations on safety, pollution prevention and security of FPSOs and FSUs. The circular also provides guidance to industry..
Amendments to the Code for the Implementation of mandatory IMO instruments agreed
The Sub-Committee developed amendments to the Code for the Implementation of Mandatory IMO Instruments, 2007 (resolution A.996(25), for approval by MSC 86 and MEPC 59, prior to submission, via the IMO Council, to the IMO Assembly for adoption .
The proposed amendments update the Code in relation to new provisions adopted since 2007 and include a proposed new section, showing amendments to the relevant IMO instruments adopted, but not yet accepted, at the time of the anticipated adoption of the Code by the Assembly, but which are expected to come into force in the following months (up to 1 July 2010).
IMO Voluntary Member State Audit Scheme update
The Sub-Committee was informed that, to date, 47 Member States have volunteered for audit and 30 audits have been conducted, which includes one dependent territory.
The report of a correspondence group, which had assessed two consolidated audit summary reports, was reviewed and it was agreed that there was a need to develop a consistent methodology for analysing findings, best practices and effectiveness of implementation of the audit scheme. The Secretariat was invited to conduct a preliminary study into developing such a methodology.
Casualty analysis
The Sub-Committee continued its work on casualty analysis and approved casualty analyses for release on the IMO Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS), as well as "lessons learned for presentation to seafarers", for release on the IMO website
It was noted, with concern, that possible trends in the safety issues included: failure to follow or implement procedures and practices in connection with the Safety Management System and International Safety Management Code; collisions and groundings which occurred in connection with Bridge Resource Management, Bridge Team Management Voyage Planning and using a single watchkeeper on the bridge; errors made due to fatigue; failure to interact effectively with a pilot; and steering gear failures. The Sub-Committee agreed to bring these to the attention of Administrations, so they could be highlighted in future investigation reports.
Draft MSC resolution on safety during demonstrations agreed
The Sub-Committee reviewed a draft MSC resolution on Assuring safety during demonstrations, protests, or confrontations on the high seas (developed by the Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV)) and agreed its content, referring it to NAV 55 in July 2009 for approval and submission to the MSC.
Model safety regulations for non-convention ships completed
The Sub-Committee was updated on an IMO project to develop a single, generic and common modular set of harmonized regulations and model national legislation for ships not covered by the SOLAS Convention and a model course for training of inspectors responsible for surveying such ships. The project is intended to assist developing countries to enhance their capacity to strengthen their implementation of national safety regulations for non-SOLAS ships.
The set of regulations has been completed, and is under revision for approval. The scope includes, but is not limited to, new cargo ships, of 12 metres or more in length and for which the provisions of the SOLAS Convention do not apply; passenger ships carrying fewer than 200 passengers and of less than 24 metres in length; and fishing vessels.
The regulations take into account existing model regulations and other IMO guidance for non-convention ships developed by IMO for different regions. Two model courses covering implementation of the regulations (basic and advance) will be developed and tested regionally.
Mandatory reports under MARPOL reviewed
The Sub-Committee considered the summary analysis of the reports submitted for 2007 in relation to the MARPOL Convention, by 32 Parties to MARPOL and one Associate Member, and noted that the rate of reporting in 2007 remained low (MARPOL has 149 Parties). The Sub-Committee urged all Parties to MARPOL to submit mandatory reports on time (the closing date for the receipt of mandatory reports for the year 2008 is 30 September 2009).
Development of a Code for Recognized Organizations begun
The Sub-Committee discussed the planned development of a proposed Code for Recognized Organizations, which would be intended to assist IMO Member States in meeting their responsibilities in recognizing, authorizing and monitoring such organizations. As a first step, the Secretariat was requested to identify all existing requirements and recommendations contained in IMO instruments regarding recognized organizations and to submit a report on this to FSI 18.